Linnean Soc Research Articles

New insights on Hispanomys moralesi (Rodentia, Mammalia) and its use as biostratigraphical indicator

Here, we describe new specimens of the cricetid Hispanomys moralesi Lopez-Antonanzas et al. 2010, found in Batallones 4 site, which belongs to Cerro de los Batallones assemblage (Upper Vallesian, Upper Miocene). Previously, metrical and morphological data of H. moralesi have been used to proof whether the different sites within the butte were filled simultaneously or there was a time span among them (Lopez-Antonanzas et al. in Zool J Linnean Soc 160(4):725–747, 2010). 129 isolated molars, nine lower jaws, ten maxilla fragments and four skull remains from Batallones 4 were identified as H. moralesi and were included in the study. Length and width data were also taken on the dental pieces. This information has been used to perform a biometrical and morphological study, in order to compare the specimens of Batallones 4 with the rest of sites within the butte and with other Hispanomys species. The evolutionary stage of the fossils from Batallones 4 indicates that they are slightly more modern than the specimens from Batallones 10, and also have more primitive features than the ones from Batallones 1, 3 and 5. This information support the hypothesis by Lopez-Antonanzas et al. (2010): the cavities were not filled synchronously, but one after the other, beginning with southerner side of the butte (Batallones 10) and progressing towards north, being Batallones3 the last one to fill and, consequently, the youngest locality. The results remark the potential use of H. moralesi as a tool which can be used as a biochronological indicator that help us to relatively date a set of fossil sites.

New Species, New Records, and Distribution of Smicridea Mclachlan 1871 in Bolivia (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae).

During various studies of freshwater quality, twenty-four species of Smicridea were collected in Bolivia. This brings to thirty-one the number of Smicridea species present in this country. Four belong to the subgenus Smicridea Mclachlan J Linnean Soc London Zool 11: 98-141, 1871, which is recorded for the first time for the country. Additionally, 16 species in the subgenus Rhyacophylax Müller Zool Anzeiger 2: 38-40, 1879, are also registered for the first time. Three species are new and described from males: Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) molinai sp. nov., Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) ruedamartinae sp. nov., and Smicridea (Smicridea) moyai sp. nov.

A fossil aardvark (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) from the lower Pliocene of Chad

The Mission Paléoanthropologique Franco-Tchadienne (MPFT) found a new species of Orycteropodidae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) in the Kollé fossiliferous sector, northern Chad. After Orycteropus abundulafus [Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20 (1) (2000) 205–209; Lehmann, T., Vignaud, P., Likius A., Brunet M., in press. A new Orycteropodidae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata) in the Mio-Pliocene of Northern Chad. Zool. J. Linnean Soc.], this specimen is the second complete skeleton of fossil aardvark found in the Djurab desert. It is the first complete representative of an Orycteropus species found in the Pliocene of Africa. In regard to the Miocene fossil aardvarks, this new taxon, Orycteropus djourabensis nov. sp., shows more affinities with the extant O. afer. The main differences are the larger teeth and the shorter hand in the fossil form. Kossom Bougoudi and Kollé represent a chronological series that gives a unique opportunity for studying the evolution of the African Tubulidentata around the Mio-Pliocene boundary (5.5-4 My). The new species is distinct from the older Chadian Orycteropodid from KB and it embodies the taxonomic turnover that took place within the order Tubulidentata around this boundary in Africa. Moreover, this new species is the oldest known Orycteropus species that clearly belongs to the modern forms including the extant aardvark.

Maintenance of aphid clonal lineages: images of immortality?

Artificial cloning and ancient asexuals have impacted upon both scientific and lay thinking in applied and theoretical fields as diverse as medicine and evolution. Hence, this is an opportune time to promote debate and discussion on what maintains a clonal lineage. The genetic fidelity of a clone has been discussed in detail elsewhere [Genet. Res. 79 (2002) 1; Biol. J. Linnean Soc. 79 (2003) 3]. In this paper, we focus on the lineage integrity (= longevity), or physiological lifespan of a clone with respect to senesce in relation to factors controlling telomere functioning. Aspects of cell line research pertinent to eukaryotic clonal lineages are discussed and, in particular, we try to extrapolate aspects of this research and apply it to apomictic (=mitotic) aphid lineages to suggest how they may be maintained. Analogies are made between single cells and individual aphids that senescence through a generation, whilst the respective lineages persist for finite periods, unless that is, compensatory mechanisms have evolved allowing immortality in the one and ancient asexuality in the other. Such comparison may allow fresh insights into the mechanisms of clonal lineage maintenance and evolution. We hypothesise that: (1) the cause of extinction in eukaryotic clonal lineages is due to deleterious effects on key regions of the genome, the chromosomal telomere being one such site; (2) recombination acts as a common mechanism to reset telomere functioning, perhaps more fundamental than its utility to reduce genetic load and maintain adaptability; and (3) ancient lineages persist through time as a function of group-specific compensatory mechanisms that maintain telomere integrity.

Simultaneous analysis of the basal lineages of Hymenoptera (Insecta) using sensitivity analysis

The first simultaneous analysis of molecular and morphological data of basal hymenopterans that includes exemplars from all families is presented. DNA sequences (of approximately 2000–2700 bp for each taxon) from the nuclear genes 18S and 28S and the mitochondrial genes 16S and CO1 have been sequenced for 39 taxa (four outgroup taxa, 29 symphytans, and six apocritans). These DNA sequences and 236 morphological characters from Vihelmsen [Zool. J. Linnean Soc. 131 (2001) 393] were analyzed separately as well as simultaneously. All analyses were performed on unaligned sequences, using the optimization alignment (=direct optimization) method. Sensitivity analysis sensu Wheeler [Syst. Biol. 44 (1995) 321] was applied by analyzing the data under nine different combinations of analysis parameter values. The superfamily level relationships of basal hymenopterans as proposed by Vilhelmsen [Zool. J. Linnean Soc. 131 (2001) 393] and Ronquist et al. [Zool. Scr. 28 (1999) 13] are mostly confirmed, except that Pamphilioidea is the sister group to Tenthredinoidea s.l. and that Anaxyelidae (i.e., Syntexis libocedrii) and Siricidae are supported as a monophyletic group, partly reestablishing the traditional concept of Siricoidea. The resulting hypothesis that best represents the combined evidence from morphology and DNA sequences is (Xyeloidea (Tenthredinoidea s.l. Pamphilioidea) (Cephoidea (Siricoidea (Xiphydrioidea (Orussidae Apocrita))))), with Siricoidea=Anaxyelidae + Siricidae. The phylogenetic system within Tenthredinoidea s.l., derived from the combined evidence, is (Blasticotomidae (Tenthredinidae including Diprionidae (Cimbicidae (Argidae Pergidae)))).

Simultaneous analysis of the basal lineages of Hymenoptera (Insecta) using sensitivity analysis.

The first simultaneous analysis of molecular and morphological data of basal hymenopterans that includes exemplars from all families is presented. DNA sequences (of approximately 2000-2700 bp for each taxon) from the nuclear genes 18S and 28S and the mitochondrial genes 16S and CO1 have been sequenced for 39 taxa (four outgroup taxa, 29 symphytans, and six apocritans). These DNA sequences and 236 morphological characters from Vihelmsen [Zool. J. Linnean Soc. 131 (2001) 393] were analyzed separately as well as simultaneously. All analyses were performed on unaligned sequences, using the optimization alignment (= direct optimization) method. Sensitivity analysis sensu Wheeler [Syst. Biol. 44 (1995) 321] was applied by analyzing the data under nine different combinations of analysis parameter values. The superfamily level relationships of basal hymenopterans as proposed by Vilhelmsen [Zool. J. Linnean Soc. 131 (2001) 393] and Ronquist et al. [Zool. Scr. 28 (1999) 13] are mostly confirmed, except that Pamphilioidea is the sister group to Tenthredinoidea s.l. and that Anaxyelidae (i.e., Syntexis libocedrii) and Siricidae are supported as a monophyletic group, partly reestablishing the traditional concept of Siricoidea. The resulting hypothesis that best represents the combined evidence from morphology and DNA sequences is (Xyeloidea (Tenthredinoidea s.l. Pamphilioidea) (Cephoidea (Siricoidea (Xiphydrioidea (Orussidae Apocrita))))), with Siricoidea = Anaxyelidae +Siricidae. The phylogenetic system within Tenthredinoidea s.l., derived from the combined evidence, is (Blasticotomidae (Tenthredinidae including Diprionidae (Cimbicidae (Argidae Pergidae)))).

Mollic acid and its glycosides in the trichome secretions of Combretum petrophilum.

Combetrum petrophilum Retief, which occurs as a small tree in isolated areas of Gauteng Province, is one of approximately 99 species of trees and climbers that comprise the subgenus Combretum in Africa (Stace, 1969, Botanical J. Linnean Soc. 62, 131, Carr, 1988). Fresh leaves were collected from the vicinity of the Strydom tunnel in the summer of 1998 and representative voucher specimens (Nos PRE 17 & 22) were deposited at the National Botanical Institute in Pretoria.

What can we learn from natural apomicts?

Apomixis is an asexual breeding system in plants that allows fertile seeds to develop in the absence of fertilization. Apomicts produce progeny that are genetic copies of themselves, thus preserving the maternal genotype. Ever since its discovery 1 Smith J. Notice of a plant which produces seeds without any apparent action of pollen. Trans. Linnean Soc. 1841; 18: 509 Crossref Google Scholar in 1841, apomixis has been regarded as a rare and eccentric breeding system in angiosperms, but there has been much recent interest in apomixis because of its great potential for crop improvement 2 Vielle-Calzada J.P. Crane C.F. Stelly D.M. Apomixis: the asexual revolution. Science. 1996; 274: 1322-1323 Crossref Scopus (109) Google Scholar , 3 Grossniklaus U. Koltunow A. van Lookeren Campagne M. A bright future for apomixis. Trends Plant Sci. 1998; 3: 415-416 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (41) Google Scholar and the possibility of changing sexual crops into apomicts 4 Koltunov A.M. Bicknell R.A. Chaudhury A.M. Apomixis: molecular strategies for the generation of genetically identical seeds without fertilization. Plant Physiol. 1995; 108: 1345-1352 PubMed Google Scholar via ‘apomixis technology’. In many sexual crops, hybrid varieties are superior, but because sexual hybrids segregate, they have to be renewed each generation by crossing the parental lines. In contrast, apomictic hybrids would breed true because meiosis and segregation are by-passed. Although apomixis does not naturally occur in today's main crop species (and attempts to introgress apomixis into crops by interspecific hybridization with wild apomictic relatives have so far been unsatisfactory), modern molecular techniques are expected to give better prospects for introducing apomixis into crops. The potential applications of ‘apomixis technology’ go far beyond classical apomixis introgression, where species barriers and different ploidy levels usually prevented successful transfer of apomixis from wild plants to cultivated relatives. If a sexual plant could be transformed into an apomict by introducing an ‘apomixis cassette’, every superior multigenic genotype could be preserved and propagated rapidly as a cultivar.

Function of pointed premolars in Phenacolemur and other mammals.

Phenacolemur pagei is an archaic Palcocene fossil primate about the size of a small squirrel. Its mandibular dentition is highly reduced; it consists only of an elongated narrow procumbent incisor that is followed by a single, greatly enlarged pointed premolar (fourth premolar) and then the normal complement of three molars. Figure I shows that the living Australian malsupial glideis (genus Pelaurus) aie about the same size as Phenacolernur; they have a similar mandibular dentition, with an enlarged procumbent incisor and a large pointed cheek tooth followed by three molars. Petaurus feeds on insects, buds and blossoms, fruit, eggs, mice, and possibly small birds (WINTER, j Mammal 47: 530, 1966) Because its (lentition is so similar to that of Petanitus,v we can infer that Phenacolemur was equally omnoiNorous. Why have these animals, particularly Phenacolemur, evolved a greatly enlarged, pointed tooth at the front of the molai series? This question can be answcered partially by determining the tooth's function. Dental function in the living opossum (DideliPhis) has been studied by cineradiogiaphy (CROMPTON and HILEMAE, Zool J Linnean Soc 49: 21, 1970) . In extinct mammals cineradiography is impossible, but much can be learned from detailed study of the minute striations on

Influence of Cover Availability on Depth Preference of the Juvenile Manini, Acanthurus triostegus sandvicensis

James River basin, past, present, and future. Pp. 151-194. Va. Acad. Sci., Richmond. AND W. H. MASSMANN. 1953. The fishes of the tidewater section of the Pamunkey River, Virginia. J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 43:424-432. Ross, R. D. 1958. Some taxonomic problems of Shenandoah River fishes. Tech. Bull. Va. Agr. Exp. Sta. No. 137, pp. 3-10. 1959a. Game fish streams and records of fishes from the Potomac-Shenandoah River system of Virginia. Ibid. No. 140, pp. 3-20. 1959b. A key to the fishes of the Shenandoah River system in Virginia. Ibid. No. 142, pp. 3-14. SALISBURY, R. D. 1902. The glacial geology of New Jersey. Geol. Surv. N. J. 5:1-802. SCHRENKEISEN, R. 1938. Field book of freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. SCHWARTZ, F. J. 1963. The fresh-water minnows of Maryland. Md. Conserv. 40(2):19-29. i , ast, resent, and future. SMITH, E. 1898. The fishes of the fresh and brackish waters in the vicinity of New York City. Abst. Proc. Linnean Soc. N. Y. 9:9-51. SMITH, H. M. 1907. The fishes of North Carolina. N. C. Geol. Econ. Surv. 2:1-453. AND B. A. BEAN. 1899. List of fishes known to inhabit the waters of the District of Columbia and vicinity. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. 18:179-187. STEWART, N. H. 1935. A survey of the fishes in the region of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Proc. Pa. Acad. Sci. 9:82-86. TRAUTMAN, M. B. 1957. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus. TRUITT, R. V., B. A. BEAN, AND H. W. FOWLER. 1929. The fishes of Maryland. Bull. Md. Conserv. Dep. 3:1-120.

NEW OR LITTLE-KNOWN NEARCTIC SPECIES OF TRICHOCERIDAE (DIPTERA.): PART I

The North American species of Trichoceridae belong to three genera, Diazosma Bergroth (subsinuata Alexander), Paracladura Brunetti (trichoptera Osten Sacken) and the dominant Trichocera Meigen, with numerous species, some of which are widely distributed throughout the Holarctic Region. The scope of the family, its phylogenetic relationships, and a key to the known genera, are all discussed in a recent paper by the writer. (The Trichoceridae of Australia; Proc. Linnean Soc. N. S. W., 51 : 299—304; 1926) and need not be considered further at this time.

Gold-coloured Teeth of Sheep

IN NATURE of June 9 last (p. 459), recently arrived here, is a communication from Mr. W. J. Lewis Abbott concerning the metallic-looking encrustation occurring on the teeth of sheep. In Proc. Linnean Soc. N.S. Wales (vol. 45, 1920, p. 324), abstracted in NATURE of April 21 last (p. 249) and reprinted in full In the Chemical News (vol. 122, p. 49), I give a detailed report, with analyses, of this and similar deposits on the teeth of a number of other animals, including man. In no case is the deposit of a metallic nature, but consists entirely of a salivary encrustation composed usually mainly of phosphate of lime with organic matter. The metallic appearance is an optical effect due to the refraction of light by the overlapping thin lammellæ of the deposit.

Observations on the Habits of Ants

ON Thursday (June 2) Sir John Lubbock read a further paper on this subject at the meeting of the Linnean Society. He said that in one of his former papers (Linnean Soc. Journ. vol. xiv. p. 278) he had given a series of experiments made on ants with light of different colours, in order if possible to determine whether ants had the power of distinguishing colours. For this purpose he utilised the dread which ants, when in their nest, have of light. Not unnaturally, if a nest is uncovered, they think they are being attacked, and hasten to carry their young away to a darker, and, as they suppose, a safer place. He satisfied himself, by hundreds of experiments, that if he exposed to light the greater part of a nest, but left any part of it covered over, the young would certainly be conveyed to the dark portion. In this manner he satisfied himself that the different rays of the spectrum act on them in a different manner from that in which they affect us; for instance, that ants are specially sensitive to the violet rays. But he was anxious to go beyond this, and to attempt to determine how far their limits of vision agree with ours. We all know that if a ray of white light is passed through a prism, it is broken up into a beautiful band of colours—the spectrum. To our eyes it is bounded by red at the one end and violet at the other, the edge being sharply marked at the red end, but less abruptly at the violet. But a ray of light contains besides the rays visible to our eyes others which are called, though not with absolute correctness, heat rays and chemical rays. These, so far from being bounded by the limits of our vision, extend far beyond it, the heat rays at the red, the chemical rays at the violet end. He wished under these circumstances to determine if possible whether the limit of vision in the case of ants was the same as with us. This interesting problem he endeavoured to solve as follows:— If an ant's nest be disturbed the ants soon carry their grubs and chrysalises underground again to a place of safety. Sir John, availing himself of this habit, placed some ants with larvæ and pupæ between two plates of glass about one-eighth of an inch apart, a distance which leaves just room enough for the ants to move about freely. He found that if he covered over part of the glass with any opaque substance the young were always carried into the part thus darkened. He then tried placing over the nest different coloured glasses, and found that if he placed side by side a pale yellow glass and one of deep violet the young were always carried under the former, showing that though the light yellow was much more transparent to our eyes, it was, on the contrary, much less so to the ants. So far he had gone in experiments already recorded; but he now wished, as already mentioned, to go further, and test the effect upon them of the ultra-violet rays, which to us are invisible. For this purpose, among other experiments, he used sulphate of quinine and bisulphide of carbon, both of which transmit all the visible rays, and are therefore perfectly colourless and transparent to us, but which completely stop the ultra-violet rays. Over a part of one of his nests he placed flat-sided bottles containing the above-mentioned fluids, and over another part a piece of dark violet glass; in every case the larvæ were carried under the transparent liquids, and not under the violet glass. Again, he threw a spectrum into a similar nest, and found that if the ants had to choose between placing their young in the ultra-violet rays or in the red they preferred the latter. He infers therefore that the ants perceive the ultra-violet rays, which to our eyes are quite invisible.

VII.—Notes on the Cretaceous Entomostraca

I have lately been urged to revise the Cretaceous species of Entomostraca, enumerated in my Monograph, published by the Palæontographical Society in 1849. This I ought to have done ten years ago, after the publication of memoirs on the Cretaceous Entomostraca of Germany, the Netherlands, etc., by Reuss, Bosquet, and others, wherein some of my determinations of species are corrected from actual comparison of specimens. An improved classification was attempted in my Monogr. Tert. Entom., 1856; but a total revision is still more necessary now, because the late researches by Sars and G. S. Brady, in the structure and character of the recent Entomostraca, have multiplied and elucidated species and genera of these little bivalved Crustacea to an amazing extent. So clearly has Mr. Brady's “Monograph of the recent British Ostracoda” (Linnean Soc. Trans., 1868), in particular, defined the several groups, that we may in very many cases form a safe opinion of alliances from the shape, hinge, and other characters of the carapace-valve, at least far more satisfactorily than when in 1849 (Monogr. Cret. Entom.), and in 1856 (Monogr. Tert. Entom.), I laboured to institute some definite distinctions for fossil Entomostraca, founded on these characters.